Senior Cycle Options

A Time to Choose…

The 3 LC Programmes outlined LCA – video LCVP- including subject combinations LC –Traditional Transition Year New scoring system H1-H8 and O1-O8 Minimum Entry Requirements – for after school options

Subject Choice Irish ) English ) 3 Core Maths ) Subjects ? 4 Options ?

Optional Subjects PRACTICAL Construction Studies Engineering ARTISTIC 03/06/2019 Optional Subjects PRACTICAL Construction Studies Engineering ARTISTIC Design and Communication Graphics Art Music Humanities History Geography French German. BUSINESS Business Accountancy SCIENCE Biology Physics Chemistry Ag Science SOCIAL Home Economics LCVP ** IF no Fr/Gr History. This year is the first time students will be examined in the new curriculum. The balance of the course has moved away from a predominant political emphasis, to encompass both social and cultural history. The identification of evidence and primary sources is central to studying history. Students can now secure up to 20% of the overall marks by pre-submitting a research paper on a selected topic, from a range set out by the State Examinations Commission. Essay writing is central to the programme. Students have to present three essays in their Higher Leaving Certificate paper, plus a documents question. Ordinary level students should benefit from the opportunity to prepare a research question under the revised curriculum. Geography. This subject studies the interrelationship between human activity and the physical environment. It is an extremely wide curriculum, with students having the opportunity to undertake a geographic investigation, which is allocated 20% of the overall marks in the final examination, and is pre-submitted by the end of April in the year of the students leaving certificate. For both Science and Pharmacy at TCD, geography is accepted as a science subject for entry requirements. Continental Languages. The three main elements of the study of modern languages are comprehension, oral and written presentation. Be mindful of the Aural and Oral requirements. There is a strong emphasis now is on the ability to comprehend and converse in the language studied, and this is reflected in the fact, that a third of the final marks awarded, are for Aural and Oral work. Studying a continental language today requires you to culturally immerse yourself in the spoken, written world of its users. Applied Math’s. A very suitable subject for the student taking higher-level Math’s and Physics. Physics. Physics has a strong Maths element and requires the learning off of many formulae. It develops students understanding of many of the ordinary things that surround us such as heat, light, electricity and magnetism. Students must maintain a laboratory book, as there are twenty-seven mandatory experiments, of which four are offered on the leaving certificate paper, with three to be presented. Chemistry Students taking Chemistry, have to learn off the chemical components of a series of prescribed experiments. They will be required to present the elements of four such experiments in their examination. Again, students studying chemistry, develop an understanding of key elements of the world we live in, such as water as well as everything we use wear or consume. Biology Students studying Biology explore the world of all living things from micro-organisms to humans. As with the other science subjects, students undertake twenty-four mandatory experiments, the details of which they record in their laboratory book. It is often perceived as an easier subject than Physics and chemistry, but this is not so, as shown by the high failure rates at ordinary level. Social & Scientific. A combination of Cooking, Home Economics some Biology and a bit of Business. A very interesting subject, but not the easy honours that some imagine. Twenty percent of the marks are awarded for a course work journal, done within normal class time, and pre-submitted in October of 6th year, prior to the written examination. The study of Food Science is a central part of this subject. Students also have the option of studying one of Social Studies, Textiles or Home Design.

Subject Content Very important to know what is involved in each subject www.careersportal.ie Select courses and click on Leaving Cert Subjects Course content, exam structure and grades 2019

Subjects with Assessments/Practical's Work Submitted prior to L.C. Submitted % Written Exam Ag. Science Journal Oral Exam March L.C. End of May L.C. 25% 75% Home Economics. Nov. L.C. 20% 80% History Research Project April L.C. Geography Geographical Investigation Referred to Balance between understanding and learning earlier. This table may be helpful in this regard.

Subject .Practical When % Written Exam Art Practical Art Exam May L.C. 62½% 37½% Music Performance 25% or 50% if taken as elective 25% or 50% L.C.V.P Portfolio March L.C. 60% 40% (May)

Subjects with Assessments/Practical's Work Submitted prior to L.C. Practical % Written Exam Construction Project 25% May L.C. 25% 50% Engineering Workshop Assessment 25% May 25%. DCG Student Assignment Jan L.C. 40% 40% 60% . Referred to Balance between understanding and learning earlier. This table may be helpful in this regard.

Remember You need to consider Your strengths Your interests Your skills or aptitudes Your plans for the future, i.e. do I plan to go to college, what would I like to do? Implications

National Framework Of qualifications The framework is a structure of levels, designed to bring an increased clarity to the meaning of each type of qualification, allowing qualifications to be compared easily The framework comprises TEN levels

National Framework of Qualifications

NQFW FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS Level 5 Post Leaving Cert – 1yr Level 6 –Higher Certificate -2 yrs Level 7 Ordinary Degree – 3 yrs Level 8 Honours Degree – 3/4/5/yrs

Entry to HEI 3 Factors Minimum Entry Requirements Specific Entry Requirements (may also involve interviews, portfolios etc) Points

THE NEW GRADING AND POINTS SCALE NEW GRADES % MARKS H1 / O1 90-100 H2 / O2 80<90 H3 / O3 70<80 H4 / O4 60<70 H5 / O5 50<60 H6 / O6 40<50 H7 / O7 30<40 H8 / O8 0<30

NEW POINTS SCALE Higher Ordinary GRADE POINTS GRADE POINTS H1 100 H2 88 H3 77 H4 66 H5 56 O1 56 H6 46 O2 46 H7 37 O3 37 H8 0 O4 28 O5 20 O6 12 O7 0 O8 0

Honours Maths Bonus 25 bonus points wil be awarded for higher level mathematics, at grades H6 and above, in a manner similar to the present scheme. H7 which is 30<40 will be awarded 37 points only, no bonus of 25

Points Calculation Six best results are used to calculate your points Points for courses vary from yr. to yr. as it is based on supply and demand 40 places on a course and 357 apply. Top 40 get a place, the 40th student dictates the points

Minimum Entry Requirements These are the basic grades a student needs to achieve in certain subjects in their Leaving Certificate Different universities/colleges have different minimum entry requirements depending on if it is a Level 8 course or Level 6/7 course

Colleges of NUI UCD UCC Maynooth University NUI Galway RCSI NCAD Shannon College of Hotel Mgt St Angela’s College Sligo

Minimum Entry Requirements of major CAO Colleges Institution Minimum grades Required subjects NUI Colleges: UCD, NUIM, NUIG, UCC, RCSI, Shannon, St Angela’s 2H5 + 4O6 O6 in English, Irish (unless exempt) & Modern Language (unless exempt)*. * Some exceptions Trinity College Dublin 3H5 + 3O6 O6 in Maths, English & another Language Dublin City University O6 in Maths, English or Irish University of Limerick O6 in Maths, English & Irish or another Lang. Technical University Dublin 2H5 + 4O6 (Level 8.) 5O6 (Level6 &7 .) Institutes of Technology 2H5 + 4O6 (Level 8) 5O6 (Level 6 & 7.) OD3 in Maths, English or Irish

Planning on going to College.. Students must satisfy 3 requirements to obtain a place on a third level course 1. Minimum Entry Requirement/ College Requirement 2. Faculty requirement 3. The Points Requirement

Faculty Requirement These are certain subjects and/or grades in subjects you must achieve in the Leaving Certificate in order to pursue a particular course e.g. H4 in Irish to study Primary Teaching;

PARTICULAR SUBJECTS AND MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS cont. ENGLISH MEDIA STUDIES NUIM (H5) CLINICAL SPEECH AND LANGUAGE STUDIES TCD (H4) IN ENGLISH OR ANOTHER LANGUAGE HIGHER LEVEL ENGLISH H4 IS REQUIRED FOR JOURNALISM DCU AND UL PRIMARYTEACHING H7/04 MOST OTHER COURSES REQUIRE PASS 06 AT ORDINARY LEVEL

PARTICULAR SUBJECTS AND MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS IRISH H4 FOR PRIMARY TEACHING NURSING O6 IRISH NUI COLLEGES JOURNALISM & IRISH (DCU) – H2 Comp. Sc., LINGUISTICS & IRISH (TCD) – H3 GARDAI REQUIRE 06 IN 2 LANGUAGES (one of which must be Eng or Ir) Exceptions apply for those with DES exemptions and sometimes those born outside the country

Maths H5 REQUIRED FOR MOST LEVEL 8 ENGINEERING, SOME COMPUTER SCIENCE (TCD and NUIM) H2 ACTUARY ORDINARY LEVEL 02 COMMERCE , SCIENCE UCD, O4 PRIMARY TEACHING NO MATHS REQUIREMENT FOR SOME ARTS AND LAW DEGREES (NUI COLLEGES) STUDY MATHS AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL YOU CAN

CONTINENTAL LANGUAGE SUBJECT REQUIRED FOR ENTRY INTO NUI COLLEGES (UCD UCC NUI Galway, Maynooth, RCSI, Shannon Hotel Mgt, St Angelas Sligo (EXEMPTIONS) NOT REQUIRED FOR ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, AG SCIENCE and NURSING DEGREES IN NUI UNIVERSITIES. MAYNOOTH: not required for LAW or any BUSINESS/ACCOUNTANCY COURSES CADETSHIP IN DEFENCE FORCES REQUIRES O6 IN A CONT. LANGUAGE ANY COURSE WHICH HAS A CONT LANGUAGE AS PART OF IT REQUIRES H4 IN A LANGUAGE LIKE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE,APPLIED LANGUAGES NEED TO SELECT A LANGUAGE TO DO LCVP I IT’s (LEVEL 6, 7 & 8) DO NOT GENERALLY REQUIRE CONTINENTAL LANGUAGE UL, DCU, TCD WILL ACCEPT IRISH AND OR CONTINENTAL LANGUAGE PRIMARY TEACHING/ NURSING DO NOT REQUIRE A LANGUAGE

SCIENCE SUBJECTS ONE LABORATORY SCIENCE SUBJECT NEEDED FOR MOST SCIENCE/HEALTHCARE RELATED COURSES MUST BE BIOLOGY FOR HUMAN HEALTH AND DISEASE (TCD) GENETICS (UCC) BEAUTY THERAPY (PLC COURSES) ADVISABLE FOR NURSING

Chemistry is essential for Human Nutrition Dietetics in DIT Dentistry, Pharmacy & Medicine in UCC, Applied Chemistry degrees, Pharmacy in TCD Veterinary Medicine H5/H4 in Chemistry is required for all of the above courses

Specific Course Requirements Course Entry Requirements can be accessed: In the college’s prospectuses On the college’s websites Directory of LC Entry Requirements www.qualifax.ie – Min. Subject Requirements Check with Guidance Counsellor It is only when all course entry requirements are met that students are qualified to apply for a course.

Pick a broad range of subjects in order to keep options open General Advice If a student is not really sure what she wants to do in the future: Pick a broad range of subjects in order to keep options open one language one science one business one humanities / applied science/practical. This combination would allow access into a broad range of courses/careers.

Important Points Art is generally not needed for Art and Design courses but advisable. A portfolio is however. For Business courses, Maths is generally a requirement rather than Business subjects. Accounting: Only course with an A/C requirement - B. Comm in Accounting-NUIG (H4) Most Music courses will have a practical and theory test as part of entry requirements so select Music

Do’s & Don'ts Choose subjects you enjoy Choose subjects you are good at Choose subjects you need for your chosen career Keep your options open for the future by making a balanced choice now Have questions for meeting with your Guidance Counsellor and subject teachers Choose a subject because your friend is taking it Choose a subject just because you like or dislike the teacher Choose a subject because you think it will be easy Choose a new subject without finding out more about it Make a decision at the last minute without thinking about it Don't panic! Don’t panic! All the help you require to make a good decision is there for you….. Just ask for it!

5th Year Subject Options September 2011 SCHOOL MUST Match the numbers taking various subjects with available staff Take class size into account Sometimes not enough students opt for a certain subject so a class cannot be formed. Therefore, it is important to have a substitute choice that you have researched and that you are happy with should one of your choices prove not to be feasible. Students will be asked to select 5 subjects in order of preference. School will try to facilitate the first 4 choices but if not your 5th choice will be used . 3rd March 2011

Useful websites www.careersportal.ie www.qualifax.ie www.cao.ie